Running Gait Retraining
Original Editor - Mariam Hashem
Top Contributors - Mariam Hashem, Jess Bell, Tarina van der Stockt, Ewa Jaraczewska and Kim Jackson
Introduction[edit | edit source]
Gait retraining is a movement specific intervention that aims to facilitate a new learning technique used to abnormal running mechanics that are contributing to an injury.
Strength training was found to be effective in improving muscle strength but not sufficient to improve running mechanics[1]. The use of gait retraining rose from the need for a specific approach to the motor pattern that is likely contributing to the occurance and perisstance of symptpms.
It aims to reduce the tisue stress by either correcting the movement pattern thatt is causing the stress or changing the distribution of the stress from one joint to another[1].
Considerations[edit | edit source]
- Be specific to the movement pattern that you wish to address to make sure that the intervention will improve the gait pattern
- Consider the individual's capacity to change and their compliance with the intervention
- Bear in mid that there might be some adverse effects of the intervention that you are using and can be associated with different risks and possibly reducing running economy. This also depends on the individual, for instance for an elite runner this might hinder their performace but a recreational runner with chronic pain may not be affected as much with reducing the economy.
- Similar to any other intervention, gait retraining should be a shared decision. Discuss both negatives and positives of the intervention with the individual.
- the level of intervention depens on the individual's ability to learn new skills so the intervention needs to be tailored to the individual.
- Faded feedback design can be used to teach running techniques utilizing internal and external cues. First, use cues and ensure that the movement pattern is done correctly then aim to increae the duration spent running with this new movement pattern and occasionally droppping cueing when neccassary to help ensure they can still maintain this movment pattern.Once desired movement pattern is attained, withdraw the cues slowly to help the runner practicing it independently[1].
Methods[edit | edit source]
- Visual Feedback of running technique
- changing cadence or step rate
- Altering or changing foot strike pattern
